View full sizeKym PokornyWith Begonia luxurians (palm leaf begonia), it's all about the foliage and the size -- up to 5 feet in a season. Be warned: This plant is not hardy in Portland. It either needs to come inside or be used as an annual.

A begonia that doesn't look like a begonia gets the designation of Plant of the Year at the Yard, Garden & Patio Show. I'm actually making this up. There is no Plant of the Year. Still, I'm not the only one to notice that the plant most often leaving the building is Begonia luxurians.

As much as it pains me, I give Mike Darcy credit for that. Three years ago at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show (starts next week in Seattle), I ran into him carrying this weird-looking plant with big, droopy fingers of leaves. I wanted to pretend I knew what it was, but I couldn't do that and find out, well, what it was. So, I parted with my pride and asked. I pretty much had to drag it out of him, but by that time if he hadn't told me, I would have grabbed his plant and run. He has longer legs than me, so I doubt I would have escaped. Luckily, it never came to that.

Once he revealed the name, I had to find out where I could get one. That was harder than cranking the name out of him. Since Mike is so nice, this whole process would have been easy for anyone except me. Mike and I have what he calls a friendly rivalry, and I call the big-brother-little-sister syndrome. When he has a cool plant, I want it, too. And, I want mine to be bigger and better. Believe me, the feeling is mutual.

Sometimes I win, sometimes he wins. For years, I claimed -- insisted really -- my red bananas were as tall as his. I was lying. Finally, my bluster became so blatant, I gave in. Then he admitted his dwarf, variegated Ginkgo 'Majestic Butterflies' was puny compared to mine. Well, maybe those weren't his exact words, but close enough. I guess that means we're playing fair now ... darn.

So it's with humility (right!) that I give this win to him. I'd never seen Begonia luxurians. He had it first and now everyone wants it. I love to win, but this one goes to Mike.

P.S. When Mike finally told me where he'd found the begonia in Seattle, I ran -- seriously -- to the booth. I got the last one. I haven't bought one yet this year, but there's still time. The show continues today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the convention center. Follow the action with me at Tumblr.